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Learn to Read Music Lessons

Many musicians learn to play by ear and never develop the skill of reading music. This is especially the case with guitar players. This is due to at least a couple of reasons. On the one hand, learning to play by ear is faster. A guitarist who learns a few chords is able to play songs relatively quickly. On the other hand, many beginners are under the mistaken impression that learning to read music is more difficult that it actually is. Learning to read music is in fact quite simple. The ability to read music helps to develop a deeper appreciation and understanding of music overall.

  1. Traditional Lessons

    • Beginners traditionally learn to read music as they learn how to play a particular instrument, such as the piano, violin or guitar. The traditional approach uses music books that teach the beginners music fundamentals and exercises. The music exercises allows the student to develop their musical skills and sight reading simultaneously. This approach works best when it used under the guidance and supervision of a music teacher or instructor. An example of this approach is the Mel Bay guitar method. Guitar tablature has emerged as a tool to fill in the gap, however, learning to read traditional sheet music is not any more complicated than learning how to read tablature.The Mel Bay guitar method has been around since 1947. The Mel Bay approach teaches beginners to read music step-by-step as they learn to play the guitar.

    Online Lessons

    • The Internet has had a strong influence on musical instruction and education as it has on most everything else. Numerous online sites lead the beginner step-by-step through the fundamentals of reading music. Data Dragon and Largemart are two examples of such sites. (See References.) They lead the beginner through the individual steps involved in learning music, such as clefs, time signatures, note values, basic counting and musical symbols. Online sites make it possible to learn at home at your own convenience. Visual and audio clips are provided that are an invaluable aid for the beginner.

    Computer Games

    • Music computer games like Happy Note! provide an interactive forum for learning how to read music.(See References.) The computer game approach combines aspects of music education with entertainment. Various bells and whistles are included to make music learning fun for the beginner. This approach has obvious advantages for the beginner who has grown up in the age of computer gaming. The computer game approach makes music education competitive with other activities that may vie for the beginner's attention.

    Music For Children

    • Each of the approaches listed above may work for children as well as adults, but music educators and teachers have recognized the value of musical literature and instruction targeted at children. Music With Ease is representative of this approach. (See References.) Music education geared towards children focuses on developing different pedagogical tools and techniques to help children learn and remember the fundamentals involved in reading music.

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